Glossary of Announcing Terms

Broadcasting - Announcing a game or event through a broadcast medium such as radio, television or Internet.  With the popularity of the Internet, audio and visual may be used to determine the kind of broadcasting to be done.

Emcee - A recent occurrence in game production, a second announcer who mingles with fans and hosts promotions in the stands.  This usually gives fans a reference point to where the promotion is or someone to host the event while on a video board.  An emcee can be either female or male and should compliment the P. A. announcer.  Some believe that an emcee is not as important as the P. A. announcer as the announcer's role already serves in this manner in most situations.

Game Producer - The game producer is the person responsible for putting together the entire "show".  The game producer coordinates the video board, message board, ribbon boards, P. A. announcer, camera people, music person and others associated with an event on the game production side.

Headset - Can apply to two separate pieces of equipment, both containing a microphone.  The first reference is a headset microphone, a microphone the announcer wears on his or her head instead of a microphone held in the hand or in a mic stand.  The second reference is a communications device usually used to communicate with the Game Producer and others associated with the show.

Host - Another name for emcee.

In-Stadium - Refers to the type of announcing to be done and is designated as the announcing done over the P. A. system in the stadium.  Can also be used as in-arena or in-facility.

Itinerary - The list of events, in order, of what is going on during the show.  The itinerary covers what's going to happen before, during and after the game.

Mixer - Device used to mix sounds from different sources, typically from a microphone and a secondary source to play music such as an iPod, computer, CD player, tape player or record player. 

P. A. Announcer - The P. A. announcer--or Public Address announcer--is the person who speaks on the microphone at the site of competition.  The P. A. announcer is responsible for communicating information to the fans attending the game.  That information can be in the form of key player happenings during the game (goals, assists, baskets, penalties, fouls, etc.), sponsor information, upcoming event information and other general information put forth by game management.  The P. A. announcer is NOT responsible for providing play-by-play, recapping plays, or announcing while play is going on.  The P. A. announcer should respect the rules of the game and not interfere with the playing of the game or the enjoyment of the game by the fans.

Play-by-Play Announcer - The play-by-play announcer is responsible for providing play-by-play coverage of an event for the means of broadcast over radio, television or Internet.

Script - The announcements to be performed by the P. A. announcer during the game.

Show - Show is a term commonly used to refer to the event production as a whole.

Wireless - Most commonly used in reference to a wireless microphone.